TOKYO: A plane carrying the Olympic torch from Greece will arrive on Friday on Japan's northwestern coast ravaged by a 2011 tsunami, but the welcome ceremony will have no spectators, amid worries that the Games could be cancelled over a coronavirus pandemic.
Japan is grappling with pressure to avoid a health crisis among 600,000 expected overseas spectators and athletes at an event that could see US$3 billion in sponsorships and at least US$12 billion spent on preparations evaporate. Organisers have urged the public not to crowd the relay route, cancelled many events along the way and have restricted public access to others. Runners and staff will have their temperature and health monitored, the organisers said.The respiratory disease, which emerged in China late last year, has killed about 9,000 people worldwide and infected nearly 200,000.
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